Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough has been hospitalized with a serious medical condition, her spokeswoman said.
In a statement, spokeswoman Sally Daly said Yarbrough is “undergoing medical treatment.” She said the clerk’s family requested privacy. Daly would not provide further details.
Chief Deputy Clerk Cedric Giles is taking over Yarbrough’s duties temporarily.
As clerk, Yarbrough oversees suburban elections. Her office also houses vital records going back more than 100 years, including birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as land deeds.
A political veteran, Yarbrough is the former Cook County recorder of deeds. That office merged with the county clerk’s office. She is a former Illinois state representative and assistant majority leader in the state House of Representatives.
Kristen Schorsch covers public health and Cook County for WBEZ.
